Product News
Huge Discounts on SoundCheck 21 Upgrades!
For a limited time we are offering deep discounts on a system upgrade to enable you to get up to date with the latest version of SoundCheck. The upgrade offer is a simple flat rate: $4,175 for owners of SoundCheck 15 or 16, $3,402 for owners of version 17, $2,646 for owners of versions 18 and 19, and $1,465 for owners of version 20. All the modules on your present system will be included. Promotional pricing is valid till June 30th, 2023.
When you upgrade to the latest version of SoundCheck, the license is perpetual – in other words, you keep all the new features you have acquired for ever (or until you decide to upgrade to an even newer version). Please ask us if you have any questions about upgrade licensing!
SoundCheck® 21 offers new features for both R&D and Production, as well as many usability upgrades including:
- Enhanced Loose Particle Detection: A new enhanced Loose Particle detection algorithm for measurement of transient distortion is more accurate and offers improved correlation to subjective listening. In addition to identifying distortion caused by foreign material in the voice coil gap of a speaker, it is also valuable for detecting rattling buttons on smart devices and Bluetooth speakers, and identifying buzz, squeak and rattle in automotive audio applications.
- Multichannel Spectrum Analyzer: A new multi-channel FFT analyzer replaces SoundCheck’s original single channel spectrum analyzer. This high resolution constant bandwidth linear filter analyzer enables any number of live FFT spectra to be simultaneously viewed in real time on the same graph.
- Metadata for Simplified Data Collection and Recall: SoundCheck’s new Metadata feature simplifies data collection and documentation. Curves, values, results and waveforms can now be saved to a single TDMS file, along with all test parameters acquired during the sequence run such as test conditions, test sequence used, operator, serial number, microphone position, data entered via a message step and more.
- Sequence Protection: Sequence protection guards your intellectual property and adds an additional level of assurance that your tests are run as-intended by your production facility or contract manufacturer. Any test sequence can now be locked and password protected before distribution. This prevents sequence steps and limits from editing and sequence steps cannot even be viewed, protecting the intellectual property in your sequences.
- AudioConnect 2 Support: SoundCheck 21 supports AudioConnect 2TM, Listen’s new portable, compact and high resolution (up to 192 kHz) dual-channel audio interface. AudioConnect 2 is designed for measurements anywhere from the production line to out in the field.
Upgrade from Version | Upgrade List Price | Promotional Upgrade Price | Discount |
15 | $9,450 | $4,175 | 56% |
16 | $7,875 | $4,175 | 47% |
17 | $6,300 | $3,402 | 46% |
18 | $4,725 | $2,646 | 44% |
19 | $3,150 | $2,646 | 16% |
20 | $1,575 | $1,465 | 7% |
If you are using a version prior to version 15, please contact your sales engineer for discounted price information.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Versions of SoundCheck prior to 16 are no longer supported. We highly recommend that you take advantage of this limited time offer to upgrade your systems to the latest version. Please contact your sales engineer to discuss additional multi-system upgrade discounts.
- If you have multiple systems with different purchase dates, we are happy to work with you to get them all upgraded to the latest version and onto the same annual support contract cycle.
- You can also reduce your future upgrade costs by purchasing an annual support contract for an additional $998. With this, you will receive SoundCheck 22 when it is released at no extra charge, as well as priority support service.
- Discounted upgrade prices are only available to registered owner of software, for their exclusive use.
Please note that these prices are applicable to the US only. Users outside the US should contact Listen or their local representative for pricing information.
Please email your purchase order to sales@listeninc.com. You can also contact us on this email address if you would like to pay by credit card, have any questions, or need additional paperwork to support your order.
Please also see the detailed information on new features.
Automotive Test Sequence Including BSR, Max SPL and Frequency Response
We have a new automotive test sequence to measure Transient Distortion (also known as buzz, squeak, and rattle, Rub & Buzz, or impulsive distortion), Frequency Response, and Max SPL to the suggested measurement methods set out in the AES Technical Committee on Automotive Audio’s recently published white paper on in-car acoustic measurements. The three measurements are incorporated into one overall test sequence, making it fast and simple to run the entire suite of tests. This sequence facilitates evaluation of the committee’s proposals, and also serves as a basis for any similar in-house measurements. The white paper, which may be obtained from the TC-AA, outlines both measurement methods and physical configuration such as microphone and seat positioning in an effort to simplify comparison between vehicles.
Listen Introduces AudioConnect 2, a New Portable Dual-Channel Audio Interface
AudioConnect 2, Listen’s new compact and high resolution two-channel audio interface is designed for measurements anywhere from the production line to out in the field, and is particularly suitable for headphone testing. It features 2 input channels with a sampling rate up to 192 kHz, microphone power, TEDS support, a low-noise headphone amplifier, and two line outputs. It can be powered via a laptop’s USB-C for portability and for field measurements.
With up to 90kHz frequency range, its two input channels can be independently configured as TEDS-compatible microphone and accelerometer inputs with constant current bias, microphone inputs with constant voltage bias, or regular line-in. This makes it compatible with a wide range of transducers including both SCM and IEPE microphones, couplers, accelerometers and most modern head and torso simulators, including the high resolution Brüel and Kjær 5128. The inputs feature selectable 0/20dB input gain with level and overload indicators.
Two line outputs drive microspeakers and powered loudspeakers or mouth simulators, or control SC Amp (Listen’s audio amplifier) or other similar devices. A separate low noise, low distortion, headphone amplifier powers headphones or allows monitoring of the audio signal via wired headphones.
Designed for portability, AudioConnect 2 is just 4.375” wide x 1.8” high x 8.625” deep, and is powered from a laptop via USB-C, eliminating the need for a dedicated power supply. This makes it ideal for measurements outside the lab such as testing headphones and hearing aids in real-world environments and making in-car audio measurements. For additional functionality, the line powered BQC Bluetooth interface can be added to configure a fully portable Bluetooth headphone test system with both hardware devices running from your laptop’s USB power! A power supply is also included, making it equally suited to production environments where its rack-mount compatibility, ruggedness and competitive price point also ensure that it offers excellent value.
Like Listen’s other new interfaces, AudioConnect 2 is designed for seamless use with SoundCheck. Setup time is minimal as SoundCheck automatically configures the device, loads the factory-saved calibration values and automatically populates the input channels with sampling rate. Self-test requires no additional cabling as all switching is internal. There are no front panel controls; control is exclusively via the software – either through a sequence or a dedicated control panel. This eliminates any possibility of accidental change to the settings. Level and overload indicators ensure reliable results with a clear warning if the signal is near or actually clipping, and BNC connectors minimize the possibility of a cable becoming disconnected.
SoundCheck 21 Brings Enhanced Loose Particle Detection, Multichannel FFT, Metadata, Sequence Protection and more
Listen is excited to release SoundCheck 21, the latest version of its flagship audio test software. This version includes a new enhanced Loose Particles algorithm for transient distortion measurements in a wide range of devices. It also offers increased measurement capability with the new multichannel FFT analyzer. Other enhancements such as the ability to save metadata, sequence protection and AudioConnect 2 control round out the increased functionality of this year’s update.
The new enhanced Loose Particle detection algorithm offers more accurate measurements of transient distortion and improved correlation to subjective listening. It also makes it easier to distinguish defects from background noise. The new algorithm uses the same time-envelope analysis technique as in Listen’s original 2005 Loose Particle algorithm, the first method developed for detecting random transient production line defects. However, this new version adds a prominence metric to better distinguish the loose particle defects from other artifacts, and removes the stimulus from the response so only the defects are heard. This makes it easy to set limits in line with subjective tests. In addition to identifying distortion caused by foreign material in the voice coil gap of a speaker, it is also valuable for detecting rattling components such as buttons on smart devices and bluetooth speakers, and identifying buzz, squeak and rattle such as loose wires or fasteners in automotive audio applications.
SoundCheck’s focus on multichannel analysis continues with a new multi-channel high resolution FFT analyzer to replace the original single channel spectrum analyzer. This enables any number of live FFT spectra to be simultaneously viewed in real time on the same graph, allowing direct comparisons and saving screen real estate over the previous methods of using a separate analyzer for each channel. Channel subtraction, maximum, minimum and power average can be calculated and displayed in real time, and the analyzer offers many options including standard and custom windows and various weighting options. Live FFT curves can easily be dragged and dropped into any graph for easy comparison to limits and reference curves. FFT analyses can be viewed simultaneously with RTA analyses, either side by side or superimposed on one another. This enables both high resolution spectra and constant percentage bandwidth resolution (eg. 1/12th Octave) measurements to be viewed at the same time.
The new Metadata feature simplifies data collection and documentation. Curves, values, results and waveforms can now be saved to a single TDMS file, along with all test parameters acquired during the sequence run such as test conditions, test sequence used, operator, serial number, microphone position, data entered via a message step and more. Both system fields (e.g. sequence name, operator, SoundCheck serial number) and user-defined fields can be stored. This data can be viewed or recalled in SoundCheck, as well as by applications such as Microsoft Excel and Matlab. The TDMS format used for Metadata saves it in a binary format, minimizing read and write times when a sequence is running. This feature has many uses in both R&D and production applications.
SoundCheck 21 also includes new features designed to ensure test integrity and protect intellectual property when sharing test sequences with 3rd party manufacturers. Any test sequence can be locked and password-protected. Once locked, it can be run but sequence steps and limits cannot be edited without the password. Furthermore, the sequence steps cannot even be viewed, guarding the intellectual property in your sequences. Sequences can also be configured to only run on a particular SoundCheck system, or block of systems. This further protects against unauthorized use and helps ensure the end-to-end integrity of your tests, guaranteeing that your products are tested exactly as intended.
Finally, SoundCheck 21 supports AudioConnect 2TM, Listen’s new compact and high resolution (up to 192 kHz sampling rate) two-channel audio interface. With the option to power it via a laptop USB-C port, this compact, portable, and easy to use audio interface is designed for measurements anywhere from the production line to out in the field, and is particularly suitable for headphone testing. Set-up and configuration is extremely simple and fast with full plug-and-play functionality and TEDS support for automatic identification, configuration and calibration of microphones and accelerometers. AudioConnect 2 is exclusively configured via the SoundCheck software – there are no front panel controls. This provides an added level of test integrity by ensuring that settings cannot be inadvertently adjusted outside of your test configuration.
Up to 50% off
Level up to the latest version of SoundCheck with up to 50% off list price. Until the end of 2022, we’re discounting upgrades to the latest SoundCheck version by up to 50% when you also purchase a support contract. We’re recently introduced many new features including enhanced perceptual distortion, a fully-featured multichannel RTA, upgraded signal generator and new stimulus and post-processing capabilities to support communications testing. Check out our summary of new features and imagine adding those to your test toolbox!
Naturally we’re also working on some exciting new developments for the next release, and the support contract secures your copy of version 21 at no additional cost when it is released next Spring, keeping you on the latest version at least through the end of 2023. And of course you’ll also get priority support from our knowledgeable team!
Note: Remember, our upgrades are perpetual – once you upgrade, you’ll have all the new features you’ve purchased for the life of your SoundCheck system, not just for a limited time or until our next update.
| Upgrade from Version | Upgrade List Price | Promotional Upgrade Price | Discount | + Support Contract | Total Cost |
| 14.0 | $4,500 | 50% | $950 | $5,450 | |
| 15.0 | $3,750 | 50% | $950 | $4,700 | |
| 16.0 | $3,000 | 50% | $950 | $3,950 | |
| 17.0 | $2,700 | 40% | $950 | $3,650 | |
| 18.0 | $2,250 | 25% | $950 | $3,200 | |
| 19.0 | $1,125 | 25% | $950 | $2,075 |
* Note:
- Limit 5 keys per customer. Contact your sales engineer for 6+ system pricing.
- A 12 month support contract ($950) must also be purchased at the time of upgrade. This includes the version 21 release (with additional new features) when it is available early next year, as well as priority support.
- For systems prior to version 14, please contact your sales engineer for pricing.
- Not valid for lost/replacement keys or demo keys
Free Polar Plot Module and Sequence with Turntable Purchase
We’re excited to launch the new MDT-4000 turntable from Portland Tool and Die. This new turntable, specifically designed for the needs of the audio test industry, delivers accuracy, flexibility, portability and more at a very competitive price.
To celebrate this product launch, we’re giving away our Polar Plot module ( $500 value) for free with the purchase of this turntable. We’ll even throw in our free loudspeaker polar plot sequence so you can be making measurements within minutes! Offer expires October 31, 2023.
Free Upgrade to 8 Channel System With AmpConnect 621 Purchase
When you purchase our AmpConnect 621 multichannel audio interface, we’ll upgrade your SoundCheck system to 8 channels at no additional cost – that’s a saving of up to $1,500. This up-levels your system to a 6-in, 2-out multichannel system ideal for measuring mic arrays, automotive audio, noise canceling headphones and more. Used with the multichannel RTA in SoundCheck 20, you can view multiple signal paths simultaneously as well as calculate differences, averages and more in real time.
And if you don’t have a SoundCheck system yet, we’ve also got you covered ! We’ll discount any 8-channel software package by 25% when you purchase SoundCheck and AmpConnect 621 together.
Note: offers cannot be combined. Discounted pricing applies to a maximum of 5 systems. SoundCheck 20 is recommended for AmpConnect 621 control and full Multi-RTA functionality.
25% off all additional modules
Extend the functionality of your SoundCheck system with additional modules! Typically priced at $500-$2,000, add-on modules provide additional analysis, post-processing and display options, or add additional channels to your system. Options added in the past few years include POLQA, room acoustics, chart recorder, distortion meter, enhanced database and more. Naturally our popular long-standing options such as time-frequency analysis, Log TSR algorithm, polar plots, transfer function, and additional channels are also included. Modules are delivered electronically, and all are included in this offer.
Learn more about our optional modules
Note: Some modules may be dependent on others. When requesting a quote, please share the key number with your sales engineer in order to verify system dependencies.
